Facilities for kids with special needs: HC raps Delhi government

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily on the city government for not acting on its order to verify whether private unaided schools have the facilities to cater to children with special needs as claimed by them.

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Vipin Sanghi observed that the affidavit provided by the Directorate of Education (DoE) of the Delhi government was "slapping" the court by not implementing its order.

"We will exercise our right in contempt. You should understand the priority of the case. You are saying elections are important.''

"Our judgement was passed in last academic year and you are saying that these children will not get admission this year as well. Government is slapping us with this affidavit," the bench said.

The High Court directed that the contemnor shall be present on the next date of hearing and fixed the matter for further consideration on December 22.

It noted that despite its detailed judgement given on the issue in April, DoE was sitting over the matter. The court's observation came while perusing an affidavit filed by DoE in pursuance to a contempt notice issued to it for wilful default of the court's orders to issue the circular.